~ Life as a Reform Jew-by-Choice

Category Archives: Life as a Jew-by-Choice

I work hard at being responsible. If I’ve made a committment to you I’ll keep it and if I’m unable to, I’ll call and tell you why. If I’m counted on to complete a task then the task will get completed on time, every time. It’s not always easy, convenient, or fun to be responsible but I believe it speaks to the kind of person one is; my reputation, be it at work, in my neighborhood, or at my shul tells those I work with, live near, and/or participate in synagogue activities with whether or not I’m serious about my job, my home, and my faith.

I took my conversion to Judaism very seriously. I examined all aspects of the faith before I made my decision and although I knew for quite some time that I would eventually convert there were several questions I asked myself before I made the final decision. Would I, after a long week at work, attend services on Friday evening? Would I make a true effort to get to know the members of my new community? Would I follow through with the monthly commitment I made to meet with recent converts and those considering conversion? Would I study Torah (no hesitation there), work on improving my Hebrew skills, and be open to listening and thinking about viewpoints I may not agree with or understand? Would I support my shul financially by becoming a member and/or donating to Jewish causes? It was only after careful contemplation on these and various other questions that I was able to make my final decision to convert.

Although my decision was a personal one it became, in a way, communal. I was accepted into the Covenant by the community as a whole and as such, I have a responsibility to share part of myself with the community. Whether I’m attending services, studying Torah, giving financial support, or meeting with recent or prospective converts, I am engaging with the People of Israel and contributing the best parts of who I am to the Covenant. I believe Judaism is a religion of community and it is when we are together in community that we truly experience God through one another.

Judaism isn’t for wimps. Each individual has a responsibility to the community to be a part of the Covenant in any way he/she is able. Without all its members, the community is weakened and must struggle to survive. When I made the decision to convert I accepted the many responsibilities that Judaism demands of me because I know that it isn’t just my reputation that’s on the line – it’s my community as well.

It’s almost that time again! One thing I really, really, love about the Jewish calendar is that it’s a primarily lunar calendar, which means Rosh Chodesh (literally, “the head of the month”) falls on the day of the new moon. Thanks to Hillel II who, in the 4th century C.E., established a “fixed-month” lunar calendar so that it realigns with the solar calendar, Jews are able to continue the ancient practice of determining the first of the month based on when the new moon appears. In short, Rosh HaShanah (literally, “the head of the year”) occurs on the first and second days of the month of Tishri, whose Gregorian equivalent is generally September.

It seems hard to believe that we’re approaching Rosh HaShanah. Beginning this week, we move to D’varim (the Book of Deuteronomy) which signals the beginning of the end of another Torah cycle. As we move through D’varim and closer to Simchat Torah (roughly, “rejoicing in the Instruction”), I begin to count the days until we begin Yamim Noraim (literally, “The Days of Awe”) and I look forward to my first time observing the High Holy Days as a Jew-by-Choice.

A time for self-examination, reflection, and prayer, Yamim Noraim is the time I immerse myself in Judaism; I step away from the many things that distract my thoughts from G-d and focus completely on how I can become closer to G-d and stronger in my faith, both of which will make me a better person. I am afforded the luxury to attend services, wear my tallit, and spend day after day in shul, contemplating ways I have harmed myself and others and rejoicing in the knowledge that once again, I am offered another chance at change.

Perhaps it’s because I was born in October or maybe it’s because I hate the heat but Fall has always been and still is my favorite time of year and it seems perfect that Rosh HaShanah occurs at the beginning of the end of summer. A palpable change is in the air; school has begun, temperatures begin to cool (well… not always), and the mistakes of the previous year can be left behind. As we begin to make our way through D’varim, I will begin to prepare both my heart and my mind for Yamim Noraim; honing my Hebrew, studying more Torah, and reflecting on my thoughts and actions this past year.

5770 was a good year. I became one of the People of Israel. I’m not sure anything can top that, but with 5771 just around the corner, I can’t wait to find out.

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